HP 10b - I have abused this calculator for 5 YEARS!

The Hewlett Packard 10B financial calculator is a workhorse. Not only is it easy to use, but it is (in my best estimation) unbreakable!

I can thank my friends in the mortgage industry for turning me on to this amazing financial calculator. As an absolute beginner, using the calculator for financial calculations such as amortized loan payments was a breeze. It is more difficult understanding the concepts than it is to do the math with the 10b.

Immediately, I figured out how to calculate mortgage payments with varying loan lengths, loan amounts and interest rates and was impressed by the layout of the important keys located at the top of the keypad.

Funny as this may sound, the ease of use of this calculator actually contributed to my acceptance of a job as a loan officer for a local mortgage company back in 1995 and I am still at it!

I have owned several of these since 1995 but not because, like other electronics, they were out of date, lacked functions or were broken, but because I wanted one with me at all times - at home, at work and one in the car.

These calculators do not quit. I have replaced the batteries in one of the three I own but only once, and that was after full-time professional use for literally a few years! There are no annoying beeps to notify you of dead batteries, the display just seems to get dimmer and dimmer until you get some jargon on the screen when you do calculations. In other words, you will have some idea that the batteries are worn. Once I got used to the features I needed regularly, I did not consult the manual but I think there may be a battery meter somewhere in there.

I have spilled soda and coffee on them, slammed them, poked them, froze them and drop kicked them and they do not break! I have never worn one out, but have clocked 3 to 5 hours on this calculator per day for 5 years.
One of these has found itself in a fully packed briefcase being severely knocked around repeatedly with no effect.

For people that are not mortgage professionals, you can use this calculator easily to balance checkbooks and such and I would highly suggest the 10b to any contractor who needs a calculator in the toolbox! There are cheaper calculators out there and I have owned some, but, they are temporary. I know a lot of mortgage people with more expensive ones and I just don't get it. They are just more difficult to use.

With the Hewlett Packard 10b, the keys are smooth and consistent, the manual makes enough sense to figure out any of the functions. The processes of the calculator are so perfect that you do not need to wonder or worry if the calculator is right. I have had those times in the past where I add a series of numbers but slipped and hit the wrong key. This will never happen with this calculator.

So, with my trusty 10b's I am a genius. I am so quick and accurate that I hope I never have to do math by hand again! I know that at a moments notice, whether at home, at work or in the car, I can calculate mortgage payments quickly and accurately - and I could even do it blind-folded.

So, whether you want to do simple math or calculate mortgage or car payments or even more complicated financial tasks, you will feel confident that the hp 10b can get it done!